Farmer’s Suicide: NHRC seeks ATR from Odisha Chief Secretary

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an action taken report (ATR) from Odisha Government over suicide of a farmer in Balasore district. Acting on a complaint of Human Rights Activist Akhand, the commission has directed the Chief Secretary of Odisha to submit a report in the matter within four weeks.

Akhand in his petition said that, Lakhmidhar Pradhan(40) had committed suicide at Sitapur village of  Pakhar Panchayat under Soro Block on November 20. He reportedly failed to repay Rupees 30,000 which he had borrowed from local people. Pradhan’s crops were damaged after the field remained submerged for several days after Cyclone Phailin and the floods.

It is noted that the cyclone hit the state’s coast Oct 12 and the floods which followed it have damaged crops on more than 1.2 million hectares in the state. “It is most unfortunate that the state government has always been on denial, instead of investigating such incidents. No compensation and rehabilitation steps are taken by the Government”, alleged the petitioner.

Akhand pleaded before the commission for a compensation of Rupees Five lakhs to the families of deceased and order for appropriate steps to avoid such type of incidents in future.